disturbances and raise further tensions in the world.The training, financing and arming of Hamas as well as the support for Hezbollah and the Houthis by the Iranian regime play a crucial role in the destabilisation of the region.

6. On 22 November 2023, with the mediation of Egypt, Qatar and the United States, an agreement was concluded between Israel and Hamas which allowed for a 4-day pause in the hostilities, during which Hamas were to free 50 Israeli hostages in exchange for the liberation of 150 Palestinian detainees, in both cases mainly women and children. The agreement was extended a number of times; with a total of 110 hostages released in exchange for 240 detainees. A number of humanitarian convoys were allowed to enter Gaza. While welcoming the agreement, the Assembly calls for the immediate launch of similar initiatives, as greater humanitarian support is necessary to address the basic needs of the civilian population. The Assembly welcomes and encourages Cyprus' initiative to create a sea corridor to transport humanitarian aid to Gaza.

7. The Assembly is afraid that this war – like many other flare-ups of violence before it – will not succeed in breaking the spiral of hatred and will not suffice to achieve durable and sustainable peace and security in the Middle East. For this result to be attained, it is necessary for Israelis and Palestinians to commit to a two-State solution, which will enable both peoples to exercise their right to self-determination and live in dignity. The international community must be unanimous, resolute and consistent in supporting this course of action. It is also necessary for political leaders on both sides to refrain from using inflammatory rhetoric which dehumanises the other people, denies their rights, and impedes any prospect of future reconciliation.

8. In the light of these considerations, the Assembly:

8.1. calls for a permanent ceasefire and for a restart of efforts towards a political solution provided that all hostages are immediately and unconditionally released and the terrorist organisation Hamas is dismantled;

8.2. calls for rapid, safe and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance for the population in Gaza;

8.3. calls on all parties to the hostilities to strictly abide by international law and international humanitarian law, in line with the principles of distinction, necessity, proportionality, and precaution, and recalls their obligation to respect and protect humanitarian relief personnel.

9. The Assembly calls for the resumption of peace negotiations based on a two-State solution, with the involvement of relevant stakeholders and the support of the international community to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region. In this context, the Assembly:

9.1. recalls the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the necessity for all parties to abide by their legal obligations and responsibilities under international law;

9.2. renews with urgency its call on all parties to refrain from any unilateral measures that undermine the prospects of the peace process;

9.3. calls for the urgent and resolute engagement of the Israeli authorities in preventing settler violence and refraining from the building of new settlements and the extension of old ones, home demolitions, forced evictions, and confiscation of land in the occupied territories;

9.4. underlines that the Palestinian Authority is an essential interlocutor in peace negotiations;

9.5. calls on the Palestinian Authority to commit to preventing all forms of violence in the territories under its responsibility.

10. Supporting the International Criminal Court as an integral part of the international rules-based order and a central institution in the fight against impunity and in the pursuit of justice, which are essential components of sustainable peace, security and reconciliation, the Assembly calls on all those concerned to co-operate with investigations into the terrorist attack of 7 October 2023 and on alleged crimes committed in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

11. As regards the role of Council of Europe member States, the Assembly calls on them to:

11.1. support Israel in providing specialised assistance to the families of those who are still held captive, and to the hostages who have been liberated, taking into account the special needs of some groups, including children;

11.2. step up humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza and support relevant initiatives by the United Nations, its specialised agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian actors;

II SÉRIE-D — NÚMERO 19 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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